Stone of Destiny

It's 1950, and most Scots, while not liking it, quietly accept the fact of being part of Britain, Scotland often being called North England. Such is not the case with college student Ian Hamilton, a Glaswegian who, easily sidetracked from his studies much to his father's dismay, is often directed toward thoughts of Scottish nationalism. After a rally by leading nationalist John MacCormick and the latest setback in Scottish independence, Ian wants to do something if only symbolic to demonstrate that nationalism. Although many in the movement had talked about it largely in jest or having England officially return it to Scotland, what Ian decides he wants to do is steal the Stone of Scone currently on display at Westminster Abbey in London, it being housed in England that symbol of the English oppression of Scotland. After coming up with a low tech but what he thinks is an effective plan, he has to get some support. One person he wants to finance the operation is MacCormick himself, his support or not which can nonetheless only be off the record, and the request by Ian which gets a mixed reaction from MacCormick who supports the thought of the theft but sees the actual plan as a joke. He also has to amass a team to carry out the actual heist, the largest obstacle in this low tech plan arguably having sufficient people-power actually to move the heavy stone without mechanical assistance. One person he hopes will be part of the team is his best friend Bill Craig, who Ian's father always points to as the model as almost having completed his studies unlike Ian and who is on the verge of being married. The disparate group he is able to pull together have as that common factor the task at hand at almost any cost, which may only be in theory as they may not have that mentality if things start to fall apart. One other item Ian did not even consider in the plan, which may be an important factor, is what to do with the stone if they are able to steal it.